Two Volunteer Special Constabulary (VSC) officers chased and arrested a 18-year-old man yesterday for suspected involvement in loansharking activities.

On 22 July 2010 at about 9.00 pm, two VSC officers from Ang Mo Kio Police Division, Staff Sergeant Peter Wu and Sergeant Jeffrey Chua were conducting anti-crime rounds at the vicinity of Hougang Central when they noticed the suspect behaving suspiciously. As the officers moved in to check on him, the suspect fled but was detained after a chase.

Cash amounting to more than $5000/-, several ATM cards and bank transaction slips were found in the suspect’s possession. He was immediately placed under arrest for suspected involvement in loansharking activities and all the items were seized as case exhibits. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect was a debtor-turned-runner who assisted loansharks in their business by conducting fund transfers via the ATM.

The subject will be charged in Court on 24 July 2010 for assisting an unlicensed moneylender to carry out his business under the Moneylenders Act.

First-time offenders found guilty of assisting in the carrying on of the business of an unlicensed moneylender, may be fined not less than $30,000/- and not more than $300,000/-, be imprisoned for a term not exceeding 4 years and shall also be liable to be punished with caning with not more than 6 strokes.

Commander of Ang Mo Kio Police Division, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Hsu Sin Yun, commended Staff Sergeant Wu and Sergeant Chua for their vigilance and commitment to duty which led to the arrest of the suspect.